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General

James Beard-nominated chef opening new Alabama restaurant in June

An Alabama chef with multiple James Beard nominations has set an opening date for his newest venture in a coastal destination city.

According to information released Wednesday, Chef Bill Briand and the Deep Roots Restaurant Group will open Little Bird at 404 Oak Ave. on June 4. Deep Roots operates Fairhope’s Hope Farm restaurant and event venue; Hope Farm co-founders Robert and Bentley Evans are partners in the new venture.

Backers describe the menu as a showcase for “Briand’s commitment to sustainably-sourced seafood and the region’s best local growers.”

“Raw bar offerings include freshly-shucked Gulf oysters, marinated crab claws with citrus-chili vinaigrette, and West Indies salad,” said Wednesday’s announcement. “Appetizers like yellowfin tuna poke tacos with wasabi whip and smoked Gulf fish jalapeño corn fritters deliver fresh, flavorful notes. Entrées highlight Briand’s signature style like boudin-stuffed Manchester Farm quail, duck l’orange with Louisiana dirty rice, and seared scallops with cauliflower purée and pistachio crunch. A separate lunch menu offers a more casual experience, with standout items like a fried oyster BLT on brioche, Southern fried chicken with smothered greens and Alabama white BBQ, and a Gulf shrimp salad croissant with crisp garden greens. Sides such as crispy Brussels sprouts in honey-sherry vinaigrette, house-seasoned fries with jalapeño aioli, and “Mom’s Sweet Cornbread” with charred scallion butter round out the offerings with familiar, comforting flavors.”

The Seafood Tower at Little Bird in Fairhope features a dozen each of oysters, marinated crab claws & royal red shrimp with West Indies salad. smoked Gulf fish dip, cucumber mignonette, spicy cocktail sauce, horseradish and more. (Little Bird via Green Olive Media)Little Bird via Green Olive Media

Briand started his career at Emeril’s in New Orleans and went on to work at the highly regarded Cochon Restaurant and Cochon Butcher before moving to the Alabama coast around 2013. He made a name for himself as chef at the now-closed Fisher’s at Orange Beach Marina, developing a style he has called “seafood Southern soul food,” and at Playa.

The restaurant’s name is a reference to Briand’s mother, the late Virginia Eileen Brand. The interior design by Ivy Schuster of Birmingham-based Hatcher Schuster Interiors also is designed to reflect “a chapter of her story” in every room.

“Little Bird is my way of thanking my mother for showing me that love can be shared and expressed through food,” Briand said in Thursday’s announcement. “Everything about the restaurant is grounded in that maternal spirit of warmth and care.”

According to Wednesday’s announcement, reservations are now available through opentable.com. For more information, including menus, visit littlebirdfairhope.com.

General

Flood warning in place for Clarke and Washington counties from Thursday to Monday – minor flooding is anticipated

On Wednesday at 11:19 a.m. the National Weather Service released a flood warning valid from Thursday 11 a.m. until Monday 3 a.m. for Clarke and Washington counties.

The weather service adds, “Minor flooding is forecast for Tombigbee River near Leroy.”

“At 24.0 feet, Flooding of low-lying farm and pasturelands begins. Cattle in low-lying areas should be moved to higher ground. Water approaches low-lying roads on west side of river,” adds the weather service. “Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas. Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks. The next statement will be issued when updates occur.”

Understanding the differences between advisories, watches, and warnings

Flash flood warning: Take action!

A flash flood warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or occurring. If you are in a flood-prone area, move immediately to high ground. A flash flood is a sudden violent flood that can take from minutes to hours to develop. It is even possible to experience a flash flood in areas not immediately receiving rain.

Flood warning: Take action!

A flood warning is declared when flooding is on the verge of happening or is already underway.

Flood advisory: Be aware:

A flood advisory is released when flooding is not expected to reach a severity level necessitating a warning. Nonetheless, it can still cause considerable inconvenience and, without exercising caution, potentially lead to situations that threaten life and/or property.

Flood watch: Be prepared:

A flood watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.

Be flood-ready: Expert guidance from the weather service for your safety

Floods can pose a significant threat, especially if you live in a flood-prone area or find yourself camping in a low-lying region. To ensure your safety, the weather service offers essential flood safety guidelines:

Move to higher ground:

If you’re in a flood-prone area, or if you’re camping in a low-lying spot, move to higher ground as a first step.

Adhere to evacuation orders:

If local authorities issue an evacuation order, heed it promptly. Prior to leaving, secure your home by locking it.

Disconnect utilities and appliances:

If time allows, disconnect your utilities and appliances. This reduces the risk of electrical hazards during flooding.

Steer clear of flooded basements and submerged areas:

Steer clear of basements or rooms where water has submerged electrical outlets or cords. This helps prevent electrical accidents.

Evacuate promptly for safety:

If you notice sparks or hear buzzing, crackling, snapping, or popping noises, evacuate immediately. Avoid any water that may be charged with electricity.

Stay away from floodwaters:

Never attempt to walk through floodwaters. Even just 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.

Seek higher ground when trapped:

Should you become trapped by moving water, reach the highest point possible and dial 911 to contact emergency services.

During heavy rain, flooding is possible, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas. Never drive through water on the road, even if it does not appear to be deep. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars, according to the weather service. Stay safe by being prepared and informed.

Navigating heavy rain: Essential safety measures for wet roads

When heavy rain sets in, the risk of flooding and hazardous driving conditions rises. Whether it’s prolonged rainfall or rapid runoff, being prepared is essential. Here are some valuable safety tips from the weather service to ensure you stay safe in heavy rain:

Beware of rapid water flow:

In heavy rain, refrain from parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a grave danger.

Maintain safe driving distances:

Use the two-second rule to maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you and allow an extra two seconds in heavy rain.

Reduce speed and drive cautiously:

If it is raining and the roads are wet, slow down. Take your foot off the accelerator and let your speed drop gradually. Never use the brakes suddenly because this may cause the car to skid.

Choose your lane wisely:

Stay toward the middle lanes – water tends to pool in the outside lanes.

Prioritize visibility:

Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by activating your headlights. Be particularly vigilant for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.

Watch out for slippery roads:

Be extra careful during the first half hour after rain begins. Grime and oil on the road surface mix with water to make the road slippery.

Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:

Large trucks and buses can reduce your visibility with tire spray. Avoid tailgating and pass them swiftly and safely.

Mind your windshield wipers:

Heavy rain can overload the wiper blades. When visibility is so limited that the edges of the road or other vehicles cannot be seen at a safe distance, it is time to pull over and wait for the rain to ease up. It is best to stop at rest areas or other protected areas.
When stopping by the roadside is your only option, position your vehicle as far off the road as possible, ideally beyond guardrails. Keep your headlights on and activate emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.

In the face of heavy rain, these precautions can make a significant difference in ensuring your safety on the road. Remember to stay informed about weather conditions and heed guidance from local authorities for a secure journey.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.

General

Flood warning in place for Alabama until Saturday evening – minor flooding is forecast

On Wednesday at 11:19 a.m. a flood warning was issued by the National Weather Service valid from 6 p.m. until Saturday 7 p.m. for Choctaw, Clarke and Washington counties.

The weather service describes, “Minor flooding is forecast for Tombigbee River near Coffeeville Dam.”

“At 29.0 feet, Pastureland becomes flooded. Livestock should be moved to higher ground. Old Ferry Road near the river begins to flood,” comments the weather service. “Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas. Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks. The next statement will be issued when updates occur.”

Your guide to weather alerts: advisories, watches, and warnings

Flash flood warning: Take action!

A flash flood warning is issued when a flash flood is either imminent or already occurring. In flood-prone areas, it’s crucial to move immediately to higher ground. A flash flood is a sudden and violent inundation that can develop within minutes to hours, and it can even happen in areas not currently experiencing rainfall.

Flood warning: Take action!

A flood warning is declared when flooding is on the verge of happening or is already underway.

Flood advisory: Be aware:

Flood watch: Be prepared:

A flood watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.

When floods strike: Guidelines from the weather service for your protection

In flood-prone regions or while camping in low-lying areas, understanding and following the weather service flood safety guidelines can be a lifesaver:

Move to higher ground:

If you reside in a flood-prone region or are camping in low-lying terrain, the first step to safety is relocating to higher ground.

Adhere to evacuation orders:

If local authorities issue an evacuation order, heed it promptly. Prior to leaving, secure your home by locking it.

Disconnect utilities and appliances:

If time allows, disconnect your utilities and appliances. This reduces the risk of electrical hazards during flooding.

Avoid basements and submerged areas:

Steer clear of basements or rooms where water has submerged electrical outlets or cords. This helps prevent electrical accidents.

Evacuate promptly for safety:

If you notice sparks or hear buzzing, crackling, snapping, or popping sounds, evacuate without delay. Do not enter water that may carry an electrical charge.

Refrain from walking in floodwaters:

Never attempt to walk through floodwaters, even if they appear shallow. Just 6 inches of fast-moving water can forcefully sweep you off your feet.

Seek higher ground when trapped:

Should you become trapped by moving water, reach the highest point possible and dial 911 to contact emergency services.

During periods of intense rainfall, the risk of flooding increases, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas. It is imperative to avoid driving through any water on the road, even if it seems shallow. According to the weather service, most cars can be swept away by just 12 inches of rushing water. Stay safe by being prepared and informed.

Rainy roadways ahead: Essential safety tips for heavy rain

When heavy rain pours, the risk of flooding and treacherous roads rises. Here’s your guide from the weather service to staying safe during downpours:

Beware of rapid water flow:

During heavy rain, avoid parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a serious risk.

Maintain safe driving distances:

Adhere to the two-second rule for maintaining a safe following distance behind the vehicle in front of you. In heavy rain, allow an additional two seconds of distance to compensate for reduced traction and braking effectiveness.

Slow down and drive with care:

On wet roads, reducing your speed is crucial. Ease off the gas pedal gradually and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.

Choose your lane wisely:

Stick to the middle lanes to minimize the risk of hydroplaning. Outer lanes are more prone to accumulating water.

Prioritize visibility:

Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by activating your headlights. Be particularly vigilant for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.

Watch out for slippery roads:

The initial half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mixture of rain, grime, and oil. Exercise heightened caution during this period.

Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:

Large trucks and buses can reduce your visibility with tire spray. Avoid tailgating and pass them swiftly and safely.

Mind your windshield wipers:

Overloaded wiper blades can hinder visibility. If rain severely limits your sight, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or protected spots.
When stopping by the roadside is your only option, position your vehicle as far off the road as possible, ideally beyond guardrails. Keep your headlights on and activate emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.

General

The Carhartt Rugged Flex Flannel is on sale this week, but it’s selling out fast

Carhartt is offering a ton of online deals on its super-popular apparel, footwear, shoes, belts and more this week. However, the best deals being offered won’t last long.

During this online sale, Carhartt customers can get the classic Rugged Flex® Relaxed Fit Midweight Flannel in discontinued colors for only $29 compared to its normal price of $50 (or $32 for extended sizes). However, sizes are already selling out quickly.

Carhartt Rugged Flex® Relaxed Fit Midweight Flannel

$49.99 $29.99

The Carhartt Rugged Flex® Relaxed Fit Midweight Flannel is on sale in three color options while supplies last.

$29.99 at Carhartt

The Carhartt Rugged Flex® Relaxed Fit Midweight Flannel is a top-rated item with 4.6 stars overall on Carhartt’s website.

One promising review states, “The fit is right on. I love the little bit of stretchiness of the fabric. Very comfortable shirt. I just wish there were more color choices.”

Another helpful review reads, “These are the absolute BEST flannel shirts available; I expect them to last for years. My husband wears a tee shirt underneath, so appreciates the relaxed fit. I appreciate that it doesn’t shrink after washing. Midweight is thick enough to keep him warm. He’s been wearing them every day, so I just ordered 2 more. My only complaint is that not every pattern was available in his size. (These shirts are popular with many it seems…) Please restock soon!”

Those interested in this deal can checkout the full listing on Carhartt’s website here.

General

Panthers-Hurricanes free livestream: How to watch NHL Playoffs game 5, TV, schedule

The Florida Panthers play against the Carolina Hurricanes in game 5 of their NHL Playoff series tonight. The matchup will begin at 7 p.m. CT on TNT. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.

The Panthers enter this matchup with a 3-1 series lead, but they are coming off a 3-0 loss against Carolina.

In order to bounce back this evening, the Florida squad will need a great performance from their star forward Sam Bennett. He currently leads the team with nine goals, and he has accrued the second-most points on the team.

Bennett has three goals and two assists in this playoff series, so he will try to continue his great play tonight.

In the last game, Sebastian Aho led the Carolina offense with seven shot attempts and one goal. He has played at a high level throughout the postseason, and he currently possesses the second-most points on the team. With this in mind, Aho will be a key player to watch tonight.

Fans can watch game 5 of this NHL Playoff series for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.

General

Former Alabama greats take strong stance on 9-game SEC schedule

Among the hot topics this week during SEC Spring Meetings in Destin is that of an 8-game SEC schedule vs. a 9-game SEC schedule.

A couple of former Alabama greats chimed in this week and made their opinions very clear.

Two-time national champions AJ McCarron and Trent Richardson, who debuted along with The Voice of the Crimson Tide Chris Stewart on “The Dynasty” podcast, pulled no punches.

“Are we the best (conference) from top to bottom?” McCarron asked. “I would say yes. If you’re scheduling more games against yourself, it ends up hurting you more than it helps you.”

The quarterback pointed out the downsize far outweighs the positives.

“You get fired at a big SEC school because you don’t win a national championship,” he added. “You add this ninth in-conference game. You lose that game when you should’ve won that game. Now, it knocks you out of the seeding for the playoffs.

“Does that hurt your conference or help your conference?”

Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer was among those asked about the scheduling debate this week. DeBoer said he was “to open for whatever.”

McCarron and Richardson were a little assertive.

“It’s about the game,” Richardson said. “Why do we put these kids out there to destroy each other when we want to have another bid in the playoff?”

The former running back took a step further by suggesting if a ninth conference game was added, the league should eliminate the SEC Championship Game.

Check out the full podcast.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.

General

Cucumber recall expanded by FDA after salmonella outbreak in 15 states, including Alabama

The Food and Drug Administration has expanded a cucumber recall to include more products sold at popular grocery chains such as Walmart and Albertson’s.

Last week, Florida-based Bedner Growers announced a recall of cucumbers after reports of salmonella contamination in 15 states, including Alabama. The outbreak has been linked to more than two dozen illnesses, including nine hospitalizations.

The cucumbers were sold individually or in smaller packages but many did not have a product names or best-by date. They were distributed to restaurants, wholesalers, retailers and distribution centers.

The cucumbers were distributed in Alabama. California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

Cucumber products recalled

This week, Walmart and Albertson’s announced recalls of products containing the cucumbers.

Walmart has recalled fresh-cut cucumber slices sold under the Marketside brand. Albertsons recalled its Ready to Eat and Star Market Greek Salads and, in a separate safety update, Kroger warned customers not to eat any cucumbers from Bedner Growers that were purchased between May 14 and May 21.

You can see a complete list of recalled items here.

What should you do if you bought cucumbers?

The CDC suggests customers who are unsure of where their cucumbers are from to throw them away. Wash and sanitize any potentially contaminated surfaces where cucumbers were placed using hot, soapy water.

Symptoms of salmonella typically appear within 12-72 hours of eating contaminated food and usually last for 4-7 days. Children younger than five, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe infections with symptoms including diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps.

General

What’s ultimate impact of Alabama’s home-and-home football games? Good question

There are certain perennial matters of discussion at the annual SEC spring meetings.

Cans get kicked down the road every late May/early June. Perhaps no topic regenerates annually more than the discussion around how many conference football games should be played.

Eight or nine?

It’s been eight since 2012 and the conversation around adding another’s evolved over the years. That discussion fueled differing strategies for scheduling marquee non-conference games in the constant need to position for playoff marketability.

At this point, adding another game seems linked to the CFP adopting multiple automatic qualifiers per league. Otherwise, the SEC doesn’t see the incentive to add losses to resume when there’s a committee making subjective selections.

Alabama AD Greg Byrne agrees with that.

He’s also been among the most aggressive when scheduling high-profile non-SEC games in the home-and-home format. The Crimson Tide play both at Florida State and host Wisconsin this fall.

And the school is under contract to play at least two power-league schools every year through 2034. It was a move made in the late 2010s to scrap the neutral-site season openers in favor of on-campus offerings to boost schedule strengths and add value to ever-increasing ticket prices.

That was done in anticipation of an expanded playoff model that was still theoretical. Now, a year after the first 12-team postseason, realities surrounding the scheduling strategies have changed. Schedule strength wasn’t rewarded as much as leaders like Byrne or SEC commissioner Greg Sankey would have liked when the selection committee chose three league schools for the 12-team field.

Now those home-and-homes are no-longer long-off concepts, Alabama’s facing the possiblity of nine-game SEC schedules along with meeting the likes of West Virginia (2026 and 27), Ohio State (2027 and 28) and Notre Dame (2029 and 30) for example.

Is there any regret for inking these deals back then?

“So at the time when we scheduled them, we scheduled them based off the information we had,” Byrne said Tuesday at SEC spring meetings. “Coach Saban and myself at the time had both encouraged more SEC games. When we didn’t think that was going to happen, we started scheduling those two power five non-conference games.”

Auburn took a different approach to scheduling non-SEC games.

It opens the 2025 season at Baylor in its only power-conference game scheduled for this fall. It has the return game from the Big 12 team in 2026 and only one other home-and-home scheduled beyond that — Miami on the road in 2029 and at home in 2030.

Of course, none of these matters are resolved without complication.

And some high-profile non-conference games are coming off the books. Nebraska in February cancelled a home-and-home series with Tennessee scheduled for 2026 and 2027.

Byrne said the link between adding the ninth league game to guaranteed playoff slots for the SEC doesn’t diminish these non-conference games. Even if the proposed four SEC automatic qualifiers are determined via league games, there are still at-large bids in a 16-team model baked into the formula. He hopes those big non-conference home-and-homes would factor into those at-large spots given Alabama’s aggressive scheduling.

“If you talk to any college football fan, I don’t think one of them has ever said ‘I hope I see Alabama play more Group of Five teams,” Byrne said. “It’s good for the game of college football across the country if you have more good matchups. Period.”

Nebraska replaced the Tennessee games with visits from MAC schools Bowling Green and Miami (Ohio).

Of course, none of the playoff models are out of the theoretical phase and there’s no concrete deadline for determining the format under the new contract beginning in 2026.

That will dictate the conference scheduling model — the one that has been perennially in limbo — but there is a ticking clock on all of it. Late November sounds like the latest these decisions could be made for a 2026 league schedule and playoff selection process.

Nothing from Destin this week suggests a final conference stance is coming on either.

So the can will be kicked. The drama will continue and the true impact of Alabama’s long-term scheduling plan remains unclear.

Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or on Facebook.

General

Is Elon Musk done with DOGE? Tesla CEO disappointed with Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’

Since last month, Elon Musk has said he would begin to wind down his work at the Department of Government Efficiency and return to his companies.

But is Musk done with DOGE for good?

The Tesla CEO and Donald Trump were inseparable for the first few months of the president’s second term.

Cracks in the relationship are visible after Musk criticized Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill.

“I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing,” Musk told CBS News in an interview published Tuesday.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates Trump’s bill would add $2.3 trillion to the deficit.

“I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful,” Musk continued, “but I don’t know if it can be both. My personal opinion.”

Over the weekend, Musk tweeted that he would be “super focused” on his business endeavors instead of DOGE.

“Back to spending 24/7 at work and sleeping in conference/server/factory rooms,” he tweeted. “I must be super focused on 𝕏/xAI and Tesla (plus Starship launch next week), as we have critical technologies rolling out.”

The tweet comes a month after Musk said he would spend less time at DOGE, which aims to shred $2 trillion from the federal budget and has grossly overexaggerated its cuts.

“I think I’ll continue to spend a day or two per week on government matters for as long as the president would like me to do so and as long as it is useful,” Musk said on Tesla’s latest earnings call, according to Yahoo! Finance.

In a Tuesday interview with the Washington Post, Musk lamented that DOGE acted as a “whipping boy.”

“DOGE is just becoming the whipping boy for everything,” he said, according to the Post. “So, like, something bad would happen anywhere, and we would get blamed for it even if we had nothing to do with it.”

But Musk did not say his time spent on DOGE was done.

“There’s, like, so many situations where the computers are so broken,” he said, “even in the intelligence world,” where in order to transfer “data from one computer to another, you have to print it out and then type it into the next computer. And this is just literally a thing that was brought to my attention,” Musk told the Post.

General

‘Chucky’ actor, of horror films, dead at 61: ‘He lit up the silver screens in cult classic films’

Ed Gale, the in-suit performer who played Chucky in the “Child’s Play” films, died Tuesday at the age of 61.

TMZ, citing sources, reports Gale died Tuesday in hospice in Los Angeles. The cause of death was not mentioned.

Gale’s niece, Kayse Gale, posted a tribute to her uncle on Facebook.

“It is with a heavy heart and a surprisingly light coffin (see what I did there?) that we announce the sudden passing of our uncle, Ed Gale has taken his final bow and is now headlining in the afterlife.”

Kayse Gale said her uncle “hitched a ride to California” at 20 years old with just $41 in his pocket.

“He lit up the silver screens in cult classic films like ‘Howard the Duck’ and ‘Chopper Chicks in Zombie Town,’ earning himself some serious street cred at every con he attended. Which he never stopped bragging about. Ever.”

According to Kayse Gale, Ed Gale appeared in more than 130 movies, TV shows and commercials, including “Bones,” “Spaceballs” and “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”

“Ed’s favorite role was that of the “fun uncle,” she continued. “His love language was sharing his love of the entertainment industry and the magic of Hollywood with his nieces.”